Exposition of Acts: Fraudulent Brethren
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. NOTEWORTHY EXAMPLE
A. ILLUSTRATION OF THE CHURCH
>>1. MOVING SACRIFICE
Acts 4:32 Now the total number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
>>2. MEASURED GIVING
Acts 4:34-35 There wasn’t a needy person among them, for those who owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, who distributed to each as any had need. (Acts 6:1)
B. ILLUSTRATION OF BARNABAS
>>1. MAN OF GOD
Acts 4:36 Thus Joseph, who was also called ‘Barnabas’ by the apostles (which means “son of encouragement”), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, (Acts 11:24)
>>2. MANNER OF LIFE
Acts 4:37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
II. NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES
A. ILLUSTRATION OF ANANIAS
>>1. MISAPPROPRIATED FUNDS
Acts 5:1-2 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (Josh 7:21; Titus 2:10)
>>2. MOMENT OF TRUTH
Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
>>3. MAGNITUDE OF JUDGMENT
Acts 5:5-6 When Ananias heard these words, he dropped dead, breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
B. ILLUSTRATION OF SAPPHIRA
>>1. MARKED DECEIT
Acts 5:7-9 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” She answered, “Yes, for so much.”
But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
>>2. MEETING THE SAME FATE
Acts 5:10-11 Immediately she dropped dead at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men returned, they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. (I Jn 5:17; I Cor 11:28-32)
III. NEWFOUND ESTEEM
A. ILLUSTRATON OF FEAR
>>1. MANIFESTED SIGNS
Acts 5:12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. They gathered in Solomon’s Portico on Temple Mount, (Acts 4:30)
>>2. MISTRUSTFUL OF IDENTIFYING
Acts 5:13 and while the people held them in high esteem, none dared join them there.
B. ILLUSTRATION OF GRACE
>>1. MIRACLES IN STREETS OF JERUSALEM
Acts 5:14-15 More than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. (Acts 3:12-16; Lk 8:44)
>>2. MESSAGE SPREADING OUTSIDE THE CITY
Acts 5:16 A large crowd also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with demonic spirits, and they were all healed. (Acts 1:8; 8:1; 12:1-2)